May 30, 2020
Have you ever tried to convince someone to not be afraid of something? “Oh, just pet the dog, it won’t hurt you!” Or “Just go with me to the party, what’s the worst that could happen?” (not helpful) Fear is an emotional response to a real or perceived threat. Phobias involve fear or anxiety that is excessive or out of proportion to the object or situation. So, phobias are fear and anxiety “on steroids”. Social phobias are the most common type. They are considered an anxiety disorder and include excessive self-consciousness in social situations. Agoraphobia is fear of being in places or situations that might cause you to panic and make you feel trapped, helpless or embarrassed. Other specific phobias that round out the top 10 list are fear of: flying, heights, enclosed spaces, insects, snakes, dogs, storms and needles. Most people have more than one phobia on the list. My sweet Bonni Ann’s childhood fears were dogs (see her picture above), storms and needles. No amount of reassuring talk would calm her mind during a storm. She still doesn’t like them much. She is a dog mom now, so she got over that one and loves every dog that she sees. Her extreme fear of needles was one she had to face head on, when she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 10. No child (or adult, for that matter) likes needles, but Bonni’s fear of them was epic. If she even suspected a doctor visit was on the day’s agenda, she would hide from me and my “sweet as pie” girl would fight “tooth and nail” to not get a shot. When Bonni was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes I was scared and angry. Why would God let any child have this life long disease, and why, specifically, my Bonni? Would I be smart enough to figure out how to take care of her? How would she endure 4-6 shots and numerous finger pricks per day when she was terrified of needles? I prayed hard for help and answers and I told God I was mad and afraid. I’m sure He understood both emotions. But He also knew I had to overcome them to be able to help Bonni. She was also scared and angry. It would not be helpful to her to see me struggling. If I had it to do all over again, I would probably show her a little more how I was feeling so that we could cry together instead of separately. But I put on a brave face and we figured it out together. (Thank you, God, for that.) Bonni is the strongest, most resilient person that I know. Unfortunately, a person does not get to be strong and resilient unless they face a lot of challenges. I am so glad that I knew how to pray and that I was able to teach Bonni how to pray. How would either of us have gotten through without it? The journey has not been easy but answered prayers have brought us through. Bonni is about to turn 24 and she has never been hospitalized due to unmanaged (high) blood sugars, although we did nearly lose her once to a very scary low blood glucose level. She fights the good fight against T1D every day, wearing her insulin pump and Dexcom blood glucose monitor, she keeps her A1C at a healthy level. Type 1 Diabetes was not her only challenge. One of Bonni’s other childhood struggles involved school. Learning was not easy for her, kids were mean, and she never felt completely safe when she was there. And again, God answered so many prayers about this situation. This brave, beautiful young woman will graduate from college next year with an Education degree. She plans to be a middle school English or Reading teacher and help kids who struggle in school. I have no doubt that she will be the bright spot in many students’ days as she uses her wisdom and compassion to teach them way more than just how to write an essay or punctuate a sentence. I think Bonni will agree that she is the person she is today because of all the challenges she has faced. And her faith in God is strong because she has seen Him answer prayers. Whatever your struggles, fears or phobias, look to God for help. He has a plan and a purpose. He wants you to call on Him and trust Him. Psalm 46:1 says: “God is our refuge and strength, a tested help in times of trouble.” And 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Smile and be joyful!
Have you ever tried to convince someone to not be afraid of something? “Oh, just pet the dog, it won’t hurt you!” Or “Just go with me to the party, what’s the worst that could happen?” (not helpful) Fear is an emotional response to a real or perceived threat. Phobias involve fear or anxiety that is excessive or out of proportion to the object or situation. So, phobias are fear and anxiety “on steroids”. Social phobias are the most common type. They are considered an anxiety disorder and include excessive self-consciousness in social situations. Agoraphobia is fear of being in places or situations that might cause you to panic and make you feel trapped, helpless or embarrassed. Other specific phobias that round out the top 10 list are fear of: flying, heights, enclosed spaces, insects, snakes, dogs, storms and needles. Most people have more than one phobia on the list. My sweet Bonni Ann’s childhood fears were dogs (see her picture above), storms and needles. No amount of reassuring talk would calm her mind during a storm. She still doesn’t like them much. She is a dog mom now, so she got over that one and loves every dog that she sees. Her extreme fear of needles was one she had to face head on, when she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 10. No child (or adult, for that matter) likes needles, but Bonni’s fear of them was epic. If she even suspected a doctor visit was on the day’s agenda, she would hide from me and my “sweet as pie” girl would fight “tooth and nail” to not get a shot. When Bonni was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes I was scared and angry. Why would God let any child have this life long disease, and why, specifically, my Bonni? Would I be smart enough to figure out how to take care of her? How would she endure 4-6 shots and numerous finger pricks per day when she was terrified of needles? I prayed hard for help and answers and I told God I was mad and afraid. I’m sure He understood both emotions. But He also knew I had to overcome them to be able to help Bonni. She was also scared and angry. It would not be helpful to her to see me struggling. If I had it to do all over again, I would probably show her a little more how I was feeling so that we could cry together instead of separately. But I put on a brave face and we figured it out together. (Thank you, God, for that.) Bonni is the strongest, most resilient person that I know. Unfortunately, a person does not get to be strong and resilient unless they face a lot of challenges. I am so glad that I knew how to pray and that I was able to teach Bonni how to pray. How would either of us have gotten through without it? The journey has not been easy but answered prayers have brought us through. Bonni is about to turn 24 and she has never been hospitalized due to unmanaged (high) blood sugars, although we did nearly lose her once to a very scary low blood glucose level. She fights the good fight against T1D every day, wearing her insulin pump and Dexcom blood glucose monitor, she keeps her A1C at a healthy level. Type 1 Diabetes was not her only challenge. One of Bonni’s other childhood struggles involved school. Learning was not easy for her, kids were mean, and she never felt completely safe when she was there. And again, God answered so many prayers about this situation. This brave, beautiful young woman will graduate from college next year with an Education degree. She plans to be a middle school English or Reading teacher and help kids who struggle in school. I have no doubt that she will be the bright spot in many students’ days as she uses her wisdom and compassion to teach them way more than just how to write an essay or punctuate a sentence. I think Bonni will agree that she is the person she is today because of all the challenges she has faced. And her faith in God is strong because she has seen Him answer prayers. Whatever your struggles, fears or phobias, look to God for help. He has a plan and a purpose. He wants you to call on Him and trust Him. Psalm 46:1 says: “God is our refuge and strength, a tested help in times of trouble.” And 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Smile and be joyful!
(For a better understanding of Type 1 Diabetes,
click this link.) https://www.diabetes.org/
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